Questions and Answers
What is the title of the work by Zora Neale Hurston?
How It Feels to Be Colored Me
When was Zora Neale Hurston born?
1891
What city do white people pass through Eatonville to reach?
Orlando
What was Hurston's favorite place to perch as a child?
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How does Hurston interpret her move to Jacksonville?
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What metaphor does Hurston use to demonstrate her refusal to accept victimhood?
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What metaphor does Hurston use regarding the effects of slavery on her life?
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What does Hurston compare to a wild animal in The New World Cabaret?
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How does Hurston's white male companion respond to the music?
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How does Hurston compare herself to Peggy Hopkins Joyce?
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What does Hurston compare herself to in the final paragraph?
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The allusion made to God is 'Great Stuffer of Bags.'
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Zora still feels the pain of slavery.
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What does 'Hegira' refer to in Hurston's context?
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'The sobbing school of Negrohood' refers to what?
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What figure of speech is used in 'I shall get twice as much praise or twice as much blame.'?
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What figure of speech is used in this quote: 'Among the thousand white persons, I am a dark rock surged upon, and overswept, but through it all, I remain myself.'?
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What figure of speech is present in this quote: 'This orchestra grows rambunctious, rears on its hind legs and attacks the tonal veil with primitive fury...?'
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What is the thesis of the selection?
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What is the tone of the selection?
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When Zora alludes to the lions on 42nd Street Library, what is she describing?
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Why is race super important to Zora Neale in her story?
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What does the metaphor 'I am off to a flying start and I must not halt in the stretch to look behind and weep' mean?
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What rhetorical device is used in the sentence about being a dark rock amidst thousands of white persons?
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What does the sentence 'I remember the very day that I was colored' refer to?
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True or False, this is an example of polysyndeton: 'A first-water diamond, an empty spool, bits of broken glass...'
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True or False, in paragraphs 9-11, Zora thinks that when you are with the opposite race the only reason you stand out is because of the difference in skin color.
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Study Notes
Zora Neale Hurston Overview
- Zora Neale Hurston was born in 1891 in Alabama and passed away in 1960.
- Grew up in the all-black community of Eatonville, Florida, until age 13.
- Experienced racial segregation in Jacksonville, Florida, influenced by Jim Crow laws.
- Notable works include Dust Tracks on a Road, Their Eyes Were Watching God, and How It Feels to Be Colored Me.
- Recognized as a significant pre-WWII African American female writer.
Personal Transformation
- Transitioned from "Zora of Orange County" in Eatonville to "a little colored girl" in Jacksonville, marking a shift in identity.
- Uses metaphor of "sharpening my oyster knife" to convey rejection of victimhood and focus on personal strength.
Cultural Commentary and Metaphors
- Compares feelings about jazz music to a wild animal breaking through a "tonal veil," representing the power and passion of a jazz orchestra.
- Describes personal identity as a "brown bag of miscellany," highlighting diverse experiences and backgrounds.
Responses to Race and Identity
- Hurston feels that her race is important for maintaining cultural identity, despite societal challenges.
- Challenges the notion of sorrow tied to her heritage, expressing instead a focus on progress and resilience.
Literary Devices and Themes
- Employs various literary devices including:
- Parallelism in expressing equal potential for praise and blame.
- Metaphors to explore identity amidst racial dynamics.
- Personification to animate music's effect on her.
Audience Reflection and Perspectives
- Hurston's reflections prompt audiences to consider commonalities among people, emphasizing unity over racial differences.
- Conveys a triumphant tone, showcasing strength derived from identity rather than limitations.
Understanding Key Quotes and Concepts
- "I am off to a flying start and I must not halt in the stretch to look behind and weep" signifies her commitment to pursuing a positive future.
- Discusses recognition of racial identity amidst a predominantly white society, exploring how that colored her experiences.
- The phrase "the sobbing school of Negrohood" critiques those who dwell on past grievances rather than looking forward.
Final Thoughts
- Hurston challenges readers to regard race and identity as factors that contribute to the human experience rather than define it.
- Emphasizes the potential for resilience and strength in navigating societal perceptions of race.
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Description
Explore Zora Neale Hurston's influential essay, 'How It Feels to Be Colored Me'. This quiz provides flashcards detailing key information about the author and the context of her work. Perfect for honing your understanding of African American literature.
